About The Designer
 

From a young age I have been an avid reader of fantasy literature. The stories of J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Jordan, J.K Rowling, Brandon Sanderson and others helped shape my fascination with magic, swords, and medieval era culture. These influences have followed me through out my artistic career.

The name Raftark originates in my childhood. It is the name of the hero of a story I was writing and planning on illustrating with my LEGO knights. The novel was abandoned at around 150 pages, which for a 12 year old was quite an accomplishment on its own. As I grew up my interest in writing waned and was replaced with a passion for visual art. I turned in my notebooks for sketchbooks and flung myself fully at the pursuit of that perfect painting, but the idea of Raftark, that childhood hero I had created, just would not let go.

In 2015, after spending two years in college studying Fine Art, I dropped out of the school system to join the work force and begin setting aside money. It was at this time that I discovered metal working. I had been struck by lightning!

Over the course of the next few years I devoted any spare time available to reading books on goldsmithing, hand engraving, stone setting, and ornamental design. As my skills improved I began crafting a brand and developing a style of sculptural jewelry that reflected the influence of traditional gun engraving motifs and fantasy sculpture. I took classes in hand engraving and stone setting while stacking up the tools I would need to run my own jewelry studio.

In February of 2017 I left my job in fashion retail to pursue jewelry design full time. Raftark Jewelry was officially born. The moniker pays homage to a childhood dream, to live to create and live off those creations. 

Thank you for your interest in my work. Thank you for supporting my passion. Thank you for every like, comment, share, purchase, and referral. Without your support none of this would be possible

-Nolan McClelland